Glad You Came

"Glad You Came"
Single by The Wanted
from the album Battleground and The Wanted: The EP and Word of Mouth (US Version)
Released 10 July 2011
Format
Recorded London, United Kingdom
(Rokstone Studios)
Genre
Length 3:18
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Steve Mac
The Wanted singles chronology
"Gold Forever"
(2011)		 "Glad You Came"
(2011)		 "Lightning"
(2011)
The Wanted US singles chronology
"All Time Low"
(2011)		 "Glad You Came"
(2011)		 "Heart Vacancy"
(2012)
Alternative cover
U.S. cover
Music video
"Glad You Came" on YouTube

"Glad You Came" is a song by British-Irish boy band The Wanted, taken as the second single from their second studio album, Battleground. It was released on 10 July 2011. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett, and was produced by Steve Mac. It peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and the same position on the Irish Singles Chart, as well as number two in Canada and number three in the United States, becoming their most successful single to date.

Background

The song was written and produced by Steve Mac.[2] It serves as the second single from The Wanted's second album, Battleground which was released on 7 November 2011.[3] Band member Tom Parker said of the song, "We all felt it was a new, refreshing sound and a perfect song for the summer which really gets you in the mood for a party."[4]

The song premiered on the radio on 24 May 2011.[5] The song was also remixed by Alex Gaudino.[6] The American television series Glee covered the track in the episode "On My Way", which was aired during the third season.[7] It was performed at the Regionals competition between New Directions and the Dalton Academy Warblers.[7] Sebastian (Grant Gustin) leads the performance.[7]

Critical reception

The song has received mixed reviews from music critics.

"'Glad You Came'" has a soft, restrained initial flavour that eventually colours itself with some oddball synth. It becomes a bit more invigorating as it goes along, with a strong beat and various samples and effects interacting lightly and playfully with one another. The singing is kept drearily generic, as though totally unaware of the kooky accompaniments to which it’s being treated. It does work well enough however; it’s quite measured and well-balanced, with none of its individual elements overpowering the other and steady pacing throughout."

—Under the Gun's review of the song.[8]

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song four out of five stars writing, "'I decided you look well on me/ So let's go somewhere no-one else can see/You and me,' they continue over a cantering beat and featherlight hook before launching into a carnival-inspired chorus fizzier than a frozen Daiquiri. 'My universe will never be the same/ I'm glad you came,' they croon on the outro. The result is their catchiest effort since 'All Time Low', though on repeated listens we're not buying this innocent act they're sporting one bit."[9] David Griffiths wrote for 4Music that the song is "definitely their most danceable effort to date."[10] About.com's Bill Lamb gave to the song 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing that the song has "genial vocals", a "pop-dance beat" and a "catchy synth hook", but he also noted that it has "frothy lyrics" and "little memorable weight to the song".[11] He praised Max's solo in the beginning and also praised "the keyboard hook that nearly steals the show from the group."[11] To conclude, he wrote that "Glad You Came" is a cheerful, uptempo tune that is easy to dance with, and it is little more than that.[11]

A review from "Trash Lounge" wrote that "its lyrics may not exude originality, but it has enough charisma and summer-friendly production to see it through."[12] A negative review came from "Unreality Shout" who wrote that it "showcases none of the previously heard pop excellence and instead we’ve been presented with another stale, indigestible chunk of boyband pop that’s been soaked in desperately saccharine niceness on the lyrical front."[13] The review also wrote that "it feels like The Wanted are fast moving away from their more charismatic roots (‘All Time Low’, or album track ‘Let’s Get Ugly’) and are instead peddling more disposable songs they’ve unwisely chosen as singles."[13]

Rolling Stone named "Glad You Came" the forty-fourth best song of 2012, citing the group's "push at the genre's PG-13 rating with a club-bumper that dares to raise the specter of under age inebriation."[14]

Chart performance

"Glad You Came" debuted at number one in Ireland, making it the band's first number-one single in the country.[15] The song was at number one for five weeks. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number one with first-week sales of over 117,000 copies, becoming the band's second number-one single in the UK.[16] As of April 2014, it is their biggest-selling single to date with 590,000 copies sold in the UK.[17]

In Australia the song was certified Gold for shipping 35,000 copies.[18] In the United States, the song became their first to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three for four non-consecutive weeks after it was covered on the television series Glee, and becoming the highest American chart entry by a British boy band, surpassing Take That who peaked at number seven with "Back for Good" in November 1995.[19] As of May 2013, the song has sold 3,600,000 copies in the United States.[20] The song was the best-selling song by a boy band in digital history before One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" overtook its sales in July 2012.

Music video

The music video was created by Director X and was filmed in Ibiza, Spain. It sees the band on the beach, in a club and at a houseparty each with an individual woman. It was uploaded to YouTube on 10 June 2011.[21] Jay McGuiness revealed to MTV UK: "The theory of the video was take The Wanted to Ibiza and just film everything and then just cut bits that were useable. But the girls were models, they weren't just girls we picked." However Max George admitted: "Actually no, the girl I had to spend time with was just literally picked up off the street after a night out."[22] The video has achieved over 74 million views on YouTube, becoming their most watched video on the site. It also starred a cameo from footballer John-Joe O'Toole.

In popular culture / Cover versions

Track listing

  • UK digital single[23]
  1. "Glad You Came" (Karaoke Version) - 3:17
  1. "Glad You Came" – 3:17
  2. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Radio Edit) – 3:05
  3. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Club Mix) – 7:55
  4. "Iris" (Live Tour Performance) – 4:01
  1. "Glad You Came" – 3:17
  2. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Radio Edit) – 3:05
  3. "Gold Forever" (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Session) – 3:35
  1. "Glad You Came" (Radio Edit) – 3:18
  • U.S. digital remix EP[28]
  1. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Radio Mix) – 3:58
  2. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Club Remix) – 5:52
  3. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Dub) – 5:44
  4. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Remix Edit) – 3:40
  5. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Extended Club) – 5:04
  6. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Dub) – 5:52
  7. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Radio Full Vocal) – 3:05
  8. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Club Remix) – 7:54
  9. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Dub) – 7:51
  1. "Glad You Came" - 3:18
  2. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Radio Mix) – 3:58
  • U.S. promotional CD single[29]
  1. "Glad You Came" (Radio Edit) – 3:18
  2. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Radio Full Vocal) – 3:05
  3. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Club Remix) – 7:54
  4. "Glad You Came" (Alex Gaudino Dub) – 7:51
  5. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Remix Edit) – 3:40
  6. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Extended Club) – 5:04
  7. "Glad You Came" (Bassjackers Dub) – 5:52
  8. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Radio Mix) – 3:58
  9. "Glad You Came" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Club Remix) – 5:52

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–12) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 20
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] 68
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[32] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[33] 29
Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[34] 32
Brazil Hot Pop Songs[34] 6
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] 2
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[36] 7
Denmark (Tracklisten)[37] 29
France (SNEP)[38] 30
Honduras (Honduras Top 50)[39] 22
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[40] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[41] 1
Israel (Media Forest)[42] 2
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[43] 1
Mexican Airplay Chart[44] 30
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[45] 12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[46] 31
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[47] 13
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[48] 5
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] 34
Spain (Airplay Chart)[50] 10
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[51] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[52] 3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[53] 1
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[54] 5
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[55] 4
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[56] 17
Venezuela Pop/Rock General (Record Report)[57] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[58] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[59] 5× Platinum 400,000^
Italy (FIMI)[60] Gold 15,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] Platinum 15,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Platinum 612,000[63]
United States (RIAA)[64] 3× Platinum 3,600,000[20]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[65] 18
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[66] 22
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[67] 5
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[68] 92
US Billboard Hot 100[69] 6
US Mainstream Top 40[70] 3
US Adult Contemporary[71] 41
US Adult Pop Songs[72] 14
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[73] 35

Radio date and release history

Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[5] 24 May 2011 Mainstream radio airplay
United Kingdom[24] 10 July 2011 Digital download
Ireland[74]
Spain[75]
Germany[76]
United Kingdom[25] 11 July 2011 CD single
Australia 12 August 2011[77] Digital download
United States 13 September 2011[78] Mainstream radio airplay Island Def Jam Recordings
18 October 2011[79] Digital download

References

  1. ↑ http://popcrush.com/top-20-songs-week-of-april-30-may-6-2012/
  2. ↑ "The Wanted unveil 'Glad You Came' video" (Press release). Digital Spy. 31 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ Copsey, Robert (11 July 2011). "The Wanted "nervous" about 'Glad You Came' release: Video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Hot Video Alert: The Wanted - Glad You Came" (Press release). Music Is My Kingsize Bed. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Copsey, Robert (24 May 2011). "The Wanted premiere 'Glad You Came' - Music News - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "news: The Wanted - Glad You Came" (Press release). 4 Music. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lamb, Bill (18 February 2012). "Glee Takes On The Wanted's "Glad You Came"". About.com. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "REVIEW: THE WANTED – BATTLEGROUND". Under the Gun. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Copsey, Robert (27 June 2011). "The Wanted: 'Glad You Came' - Music Singles Review - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  10. ↑ Griffiths, David (24 May 2011). "News: The Wanted - Glad You Came". 4Music. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Lamb, Bill. "Review: The Wanted - Glad You Came". About.com. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  12. ↑ "Album Review: The Wanted – Battleground". Trash Lounge. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Single Review: The Wanted - 'Glad You Came'". Unreality Shout. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  14. ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2012: The Wanted, "Glad You Came"". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "The Wanted - All Time Low". 7digital. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  16. ↑ "The Wanted - Glad You Came to number one: Adele's 21 - top album again". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "The Wanted’s Official Top 10 Biggest Selling Singles Revealed". Official Charts Company. April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". 17 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  19. ↑ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100 - Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Jason Lipshutz. "The Wanted Unveils 'Walks Like Rihanna' Song: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  21. ↑ The Wanted - Glad You Came (Official) YouTube
  22. ↑ "Glad You Came by The Wanted". Songfacts. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  23. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/glad-you-came-karaoke-version/id445158285
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "iTunes - Music - Glad You Came - EP by The Wanted". Itunes.apple.com. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Glad You Came: The Wanted: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  26. ↑ "Glad You Came (US Digital Single)". iTunes.com. Retrieved 2012-04-024. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  27. ↑ "Glad You Came (CA Digital Single)". iTunes.com/ca. Retrieved 2012-04-024. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/glad-you-came-remixes/id476413451
  29. ↑ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THE-WANTED-GLAD-YOU-CAME-OFFICIAL-RARE-US-9-TRACK-PROMO-CDS-WICKED-REMIXES-/370597711210?pt=UK_CDsDVDs_CDs_CDs_GL&hash=item5649584d6a
  30. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – The Wanted – Glad You Came". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  31. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  33. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 BPP, ed. (October 2012). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (35): 84–89.
  35. ↑ "The Wanted - Glad You Came - Music Charts". acharts.us. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  36. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201209 into search.
  37. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – The Wanted – Glad You Came". Tracklisten.
  38. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in French). Les classement single.
  39. ↑ "Top 100". Fuzion. El Tiempo. 2012-08-09. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01.
  40. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  41. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 28, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
  42. ↑ "The Wanted – Glad You Came Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  43. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/419401/wanted
  44. ↑ "Mexican Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2012-05-21. Archived from the original on 2012-05-12.
  45. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Wanted search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  46. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  47. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The Wanted – Glad You Came". Top 40 Singles.
  48. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201151 into search.
  49. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – The Wanted – Glad You Came" Canciones Top 50.
  50. ↑ "Promusicae (Week: January 1, 2011)" (PDF). Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  51. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-07-23" UK Singles Chart.
  52. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/504475/one-direction-has-highest-hot-100-debut-for-new-uk-act-since-1998
  53. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/497039/most-wanted-glad-you-came-crowns-pop-songs
  54. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/419401/wanted/chart
  55. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/503767/chart-highlights-hunter-hayes-debuts-on-country-songs-video
  56. ↑ "Chart Highlights: Rock, Alternative Songs Get More fun.". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-05-07.
  57. ↑ "Pop Rock General". 31 March 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  59. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – The Wanted – Glad You Came". Music Canada.
  60. ↑ "Italian single certifications – The Wanted – Glad You Came" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter The Wanted in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
  61. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  62. ↑ "British single certifications – The Wanted – Glad You Came". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Glad You Came in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  63. ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-wanteds-nathan-sykes-launches-solo-music-career-3444/
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – The Wanted – Glad You Came". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  65. ↑ "The Top 20 Singles of 2011". IRMA.
  66. ↑ "The Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of the Year". BBC. 31 December 2011.
  67. ↑ "Best of 2012 - CanadianHot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  68. ↑ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2012" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  69. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  70. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Pop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  71. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  72. ↑ "Best of 2012 - Adult Pop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  73. ↑ "Japan Hot 100 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  74. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Glad You Came - EP by The Wanted". Itunes.apple.com. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  75. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Glad You Came - EP by The Wanted". Itunes.apple.com. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  76. ↑ "iTunes - Musik – "Glad You Came - EP" von The Wanted". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  77. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  78. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  79. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Glad You Came - Single by The Wanted". Itunes.apple.com. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-13.

External links