Pretend (Tinashe song)
| "Pretend" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Tinashe featuring ASAP Rocky | ||||
| from the album Aquarius | ||||
| Released | August 22, 2014 | |||
| Format | Digital download | |||
| Recorded | Clockwork Studios (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | Pop[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:55 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Tinashe singles chronology | ||||
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| ASAP Rocky singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Pretend" on YouTube | ||||
"Pretend" is a song by American singer Tinashe. It was released as her second single from her debut album Aquarius.[3] The song, which was produced by producer Detail, features a guest verse from Harlem-based rapper ASAP Rocky.
Composition
 |
"Pretend"
A 23-second sample of "Pretend" by Tinashe featuring A$AP Rocky, where the chorus is heard. |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
In an interview with Rap-Up, Tinashe talked about the concept behind the song. She said “The song with Rocky is definitely kind of a contemporary-sounding song, it doesn’t really sound like a lot of other songs on the radio, but it’s a midtempo feel and it’s kinda minimalistic in the track.”[4] And when speaking about the song's meaning, she said, ""Pretend" is basically about when you're in a relationship and instead of dealing with the stuff that you deal with in a relationship, you don't want to do that. You're just going to pretend that everything is fine. I think a lot of people can relate."[5]
"Pretend" is a pop song written by Tinashe, Lyrica Anderson and ASAP Rocky and was produced by Detail.[1][2]
Release and critical reception
"Pretend" premiered on August 22, 2014 online.[6]
Exclaim! editor Gregory Adams complimented the singers vocals saying "Her voice builds up to an emotional cry in the chorus, which finds her praising the concept of "a love that never ends."[7] Chris DeVille from Stereogum was less vocal about ASAP Rocky's appearance on the song but praised Tinashe by saying "her performance is the showstopper here."[6]
Music video
The song's official music video, directed by Jodeb, was shot on August 19, 2014[8] and released on September 29, 2014.[9]
Credits and personnel
- Recording locations
- Tinashe's vocals mixed at Larrabee Sound Studios, North Hollywood, Los Angeles
- ASAP Rocky's vocals recorded and mixed at Clockwork Studios, Los Angeles
- Mastered at The Mastering Palace, New York City
- Personnel
- Tinashe – songwriter, lead vocals
- ASAP Rocky – songwriter, guest vocals
- Detail – songwriter, producer
- The Order – songwriter, producer
- Lyrica Anderson – songwriter
- Héctor el Father – recording, mixing
- Geebizzy – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- Ryan Kaul – mixing assistant
- Maddox Chimm – mixing assistant
- Contains a sample from "Action", as performed by Orange Krush
- Dave Kutch – mastering
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Aquarius.[10]
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Pretend" (featuring ASAP Rocky) – 3:52
- Digital download[11]
- "Pretend Remix" (featuring Jeezy) – 4:16
- Digital download[12]
- "Pretend" (Dave Audé Remix) – 3:40
Charts
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] | 83 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[14] | 96 |
| UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[15] | 36 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] | 17 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] | 34 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[18] | 29 |
Release history
| Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|
| August 22, 2014[19] | Digital download | RCA |
References
- 1 2 "Listen: Tinashe – ‘Pretend’ (feat. A$AP Rocky)".
- 1 2 Clarke, Betty (August 27, 2014). "Tinashe review – bald and bawdy R&B-infused pop" – via The Guardian.
- ↑ "Tinashe Announces 'Aquarius' Album + Collaborations with Future & A$AP Rocky". Dope Avenue. April 3, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ↑ "Rap-Up.com -- New Music: Tinashe f/ A$AP Rocky – ‘Pretend’". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Tinashe Speaks On Upcoming A$AP Rocky Collaboration 'Pretend'". Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- 1 2 "Tinashe – "Pretend" (Feat. A$AP Rocky) - Stereogum". Stereogum. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Tinashe". Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- ↑ "TinasheNC on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- ↑ "TINASHE – PRETEND (FEAT. ASAP ROCKY) (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". RapWave. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- ↑ Aquarius (Liner notes). Tinashe. RCA Records. 2014.
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Pretend Remix (feat. Jeezy) - Single by Tinashe". iTunes Store (United Kingdom).
- ↑ "iTunes - Music - Pretend - Single by Tinashe". iTunes Store (United Kingdom).
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201439 into search. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201439 into search. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-10-19" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Oct 25, 2014". Billboard. October 25, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. October 25, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Rhythmic Songs: Dec 13, 2014". Billboard. December 13, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015. (subscription required)
- ↑ TinasheOfficialVEVO (August 25, 2014). "Tinashe - Pretend ft. A$AP ROCKY" – via YouTube.